Showing posts with label Zeher. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Zeher. Show all posts
It’s amazing to see that people have the nostalgia of Aashiqui when they are seeing Saiyaara-Mahesh Bhatt
9:14 AM
Aashiqui filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt shares that he is proud of his protégé Mohit Suri’s latest film, Saiyaara, reminding viewers of his 1990 romantic drama
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; July 14, 2025)
For a filmmaker, few things are as fulfilling as seeing one’s protégé follow in their footsteps. Mahesh Bhatt, who launched director and his nephew Mohit Suri with Zeher (2005) two decades ago, is proud that the latter’s film Saiyaara is reminding viewers of his blockbuster Aashiqui (1990). Just like the 1990 romantic drama had given Bollywood two new faces in Rahul Roy and Anu Aggarwal, the July 18 release will serve as the launchpad for Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda. The similarities don’t end there — both films are musicals.
“When I made Aashiqui, I did it with a lot of purity. I was fortunate that people connected to it and made the two newcomers into overnight stars,” recalls Bhatt. The senior filmmaker expects nothing less from Suri.
“I expect Mohit to do the same with Saiyaara. It’s amazing to see that people have the nostalgia of Aashiqui when they are seeing Saiyaara, but I can tell you that it will rewrite the rules of what a romantic film should be in today’s time. Every new generation must surpass the earlier one. Mohit is my protégé, and I couldn’t be happier if he surpasses me in every way possible.”
In 2013, Bhatt trusted Mohit Suri to take the Aashiqui franchise forward with Aashiqui 2. As Suri has crafted another love story, the veteran filmmaker reveals that he always pushed him to take a punt on newcomers. “I’m thrilled to see him take the plunge with two talented actors. Saiyaara [feels] like a breath of fresh air. That only happens with newcomers,” states Bhatt.
As a 19-year-old commerce student, I got to record Woh Lamhe, which became an overnight chartbuster-Mithoon
8:06 AM
Masumi Shah (BOMBAY TIMES; October 26, 2023)
Mithoon, known for hits like Tum Hi Ho, Sanam Re and Tujhe Kitna Chahne Lage, is happy with the success of his music for Gadar 2, despite the controversy (music composer Uttam Singh had accused the film’s makers of using his work without permission).
He says, “I can only speak about my process of working on the movie’s music and adding my own element to it. I am happy with how the tracks turned out. As a kid, I always wanted to make music for films like this,” he says.
In a chat, the music composer and singer talks about his career milestones, equation with his wife (singer Palak Muchhal) and more.
‘I feel like I have just begun’
I always wanted to be like my father (music director Naresh Sharma) and dreamt of becoming a composer. Madan Mohan, R D Burman and A R Rahman have been my heroes. As a 19-year-old commerce student, I got to record the song Woh Lamhe (Zeher), which became an overnight chartbuster and I never looked back after that. I followed it up with Tere Bin (Bas Ek Pal) and Maula Mere (Anwar), which are considered iconic today. But I feel like I’ve only begun.
‘I never wanted to make music just for popularity or glamour’
When I entered the music scene, so many platforms did not exist. But I would have chosen to take the film route even if I were to debut today because I am a fan of films. I never wanted to make music just to become popular or for glamour. I was always a fan of Indian cinema. I get a lot of non-film offers from various labels, but I’m focusing more on film music.
I have explored playback singing and songwriting as well, but primarily, I love being a music composer. I love discovering new voices and feel proud that Atif Aslam, Arijit Singh, Mohammed Irfan and Shilpa Rao, some of the best singers that we have today, sang their first song with me.
‘I am still remembered for Tum Hi Ho’
Tum Hi Ho has really struck a chord with the audience in India and even outside the country, people still remember it. The song meant a lot to me emotionally because it was a tribute to my father, who was the music arranger for the first film of the Aashiqui franchise (in 1990). It was a special moment in my career.
‘Palak and I don’t talk about music much ’
Palak and I keep very busy and when we get some time together, we don’t talk about music. We talk about everything else. Ours was an arranged marriage, and we didn’t really date before our wedding. So, we are really catching up on our personal space now.
‘Something divine about Hindustani classical music’
I love Hindustani classical music and listening to greats like Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, Pandit Jasraj, Kumar Gandharva, Jagjit Singh ji. I feel a sense of fulfilment whenever I listen to them sing. There’s something so divine about the way they went about their music.
Mohit Suri to mentor aspiring filmmakers in the reality show, Fame-istan
7:39 AM
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 16, 2017)
After judging the dance show Nach Baliye, Mohit Suri will mentor aspiring filmmakers on the new MTV reality show, Fame-istan. He is the first in a series of Bollywood directors to guide four participants through the making of their respective short films.
The show kicks off with a call-for-entry promo, featuring Mohit, for actors and technicians. The filmmaker will pick a winner after watching the finished shorts. “I’m glad that there’s a platform for budding moviemakers to bring their imagination to life. I’d like to tell these youngsters that they shouldn’t let anything stifle their voice,” he said.
Recalling his days as a beginner, when he made the 2005 film Zeher, Mohit says, “I had to take over someone else’s film. I was asked, ‘What if the film doesn’t do well?’ I said I hadn’t given myself that option. That was my innocence. I was so happy about the opportunity that I didn’t harp on the box office success or failure. My mentor, Mahesh Bhatt, once told me, ‘Go do for someone else what I have done for you’. This could be my way of thanking Mr Bhatt.”
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